WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Young children are being threatened at a local park, and in some cases, are being chased by a robber armed with a knife.

Fear has frightened the children off a private playground on Dorian Drive in Woodbridge. Now, they are staying close to home after two little girls were attacked at knifepoint.

"That is very, very terrifying. My kids are so scared," said Josephine Nyarko, a parent.

In the first case this week, an 8-year-old girl was playing at the playground with two young friends when three teen boys walked up to them, one pulling out a knife, and demanded money from the children. The girls ran home to get help.

The second case happened on the same playground and involved an 11-year-girl and another child, but this time the robber was alone, knife in hand, and asked for money. And when the girls ran away, he chased them.

Luckily, the girls made it to their house and the bandit took off down this dirt pathway.

Parents in the community can't imagine who would pull a knife on a small child.

"It's downright wrong to think this type of behavior can get you anywhere, especially causing harm to a small child," said Sean Gibson, a neighbor.

Prince William County (web | news) police believe both cases are connected.

Meanwhile, neighbors in the tight community say they know each other and know when there are those in the neighborhood who don't live there.

I'd approach them and find out what they're business is, and I'd get them out of here," said Art Clark, a parent.

"I hope they are caught, so the kids can play," added Gibson.

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